The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-01
History of the Combine.


The aldermanic combine" of 1884. which
gave to Jake Sharp the franchise to lay the
horse railroad through Broadway, was composed
of thirteen men, who, since that eventful day in
the history of New York city when the corrupt
measure rushed through secret meeting of
the board. have become notorious. They were
Jaehne, McQuade O'Neil McCabe, Cleary,
Dempsey. De Lacey, Sayles, Rothmap, Nc
Laughlin, Kenny, Fullgraff, Duffy Waite Mil
Ter. Pearson. Reilly, Wendell, Shies, Farley,
Finck and Kirk. Since the time when these
men entered into their arrangement with Jacob
Sharp. through his agents, the strong arm of the
law has been raised against them, and justice
has claimed several of them her The
record of the aldermanic rings stands as follows:
Jaeane Is serving a ten years sentence in Sing
Sing, where. also. arc his former associates-Mc-
Quade for seven years and half and ONeill for
five years McCaoe is insane and under re-
stralnt. In the of Cleary, the jantor of
the Equitable Life Building, who had that
wealthy company at his back, the jury disa
greed. Dempsey, DeLacey and Sayles, long
tipne ago Joined the American contingent in
Canada, and still in the refuge of rascas.
Sayles was so anxious to get away, the heels
of the Jaehne trial. that he forfeited his bail,
amounting to SO OO0 Rothman had long pre-
ceded Sayles In flight. seduestering himself in
the vicinity of his former home Germany.
Mclaughlin and Kenny are beyond the reach of
judge or juries of this world, but they died with
ont making g sign" Those who have ed
upon their former associates in guilt, and have
made bids for len1ency by 'squealing' are Full
graft Duffy, Waite, Miller and Pearson, the ex-
landlord of the Brevoort House (Wate) being
the one to lead the way. In all probability none
of these informers will be tried. OF the original
notorious combine of thirteen-the aldermanic
contingent who saw the advantages of and felt
the influences in the Broadway deal in
the earliest stages. and who finally won the re-
mainder Of the beard, with two notable excep-
tions-Rellly is the untried member. OF the en-
tire board who voted for the franchise there re-
main yet to be tried Wendell, Tommy Shiels
Finck. Farley and Kirk. The two aldermen who
could not be bribed, and who at the special
session at which the franchise was passed, but
voted against it, were Hugh j. Grant and Mr.
OConnor. The former has since become sheriff
aud been strong candidate for the may orally.
Mr.. OConnor is rising lawyer. It is slgnif-
cant commentary upon the outcome of the bri-
berry of the board that Mr.. Grant, as shetff, has
had the custody of all his former aldermanic as
sociases who have been indicted and tried, tax
ing three of them to State prison; and also that
now be has under his charge, a convicted
man, Jacob Sharp himself, who in 1884 sought
to influence him by pecuniary means to vote for
his Broadway railroad franchise, in common
with the other aldermen, upon a promise of
500, 900.
The two who handled the Doodle on the
part of the aldermen, and were supposed to dis
burse it. William Moloney and John keenan,, are
in Canada. OF the brbe -givers, Jacob Sharp
stands convicted tonight, James w. Foshay is
dead. James A. Richmond and Thomas B. Kerr
indicted and on bail.